He said the suspect committed the offences between December 22 and 23 2012.

Said M’bumpha: “The suspect is reported to have broken into the house of Christopher Kamutu where he stole a 50 kilogramme bag of NPK fertilizer worth K14 500 when the owner was at the garden.

“He gained entry using the house’s main door by using some tools for breaking in. He was later charged with the offence of house breaking and theft which he admitted. But when the suspect was in custody at Kasakula Police Unit, he escaped by damaging the door of the cell and was charged the offence of malicious damage in absentia.”

However, the police spokesperson said Ndembo was re-arrested with handcuffs on at Nkhotakota Boma on Christmas Eve.

He has since been charged with an offence of escaping from a lawful custody. The suspect is expected to appear before court soon.